Mark Pryor: mr. pryor: mr. president, today i have come to the floor to honor captain martin anthony riggin jr. and his wife nicole riggan. their journey on this earth was cut short, but it was one filled with honor, purpose, and distinction. anthony was one of those individuals who everyone knew would grow up to be exceptional, and he did.

Mark Pryor: i've known him since he was a small child. we went to church together. i think it was in maybe the seventh grade when he approached me the first time about going to the u.s. air force academy. i followed his path since he graduated from pulaski academy high school in little rock in 2003 where he served as class president, honor council

Mark Pryor: president and was a representative on the varsity football leadership council. during this time, anthony received numerous awards for his character, service to others and hard work. and then he fulfilled his lifelong dream to attend the united states air force academy where he continued to receive accolades for performance and leadership.

Mark Pryor: as a member of the board of visitors at the air force academy, i was able to visit the academy from time to time. i enjoyed seeing the facilities and visiting with the brass, but honestly, i most enjoyed getting to visit with anthony in colorado. during these times, he reminded me about the true definition of selfless service.

Mark Pryor: in his senior year, anthony was selected to be group one commander for the cadet wing overseeing 1,200 cadets and their activities. he was also named cadet colonel, the highest rank possible for a cadet at the academy. he shared with me how excited he was to be graduating and how proud he was to serve our nation in our military.

Mark Pryor: i was proud of all he was achieving, and he was certainly representing arkansas well. following graduation, anthony began undergraduate pilot training in columbus, mississippi, flying the t-6 texan, the t-38 talon and the b-1-b lancer strategic bomber.

Mark Pryor: he received the top gun award for formation flying and was presented with the leadership award by the local air force association. classified as exceptionally qualified to pilot the b-1, anthony was scheduled to deploy this month to cutter. in life, anthony's favorite copilot was his wife nicole.

Mark Pryor: she shared his strong faith and purpose. after graduating colorado's louis palmer high school as valedictorian, nicole participated in serteen, a volunteer program for teens in mission trips to peru and guatemala. she went on to study theater education at the university of

Mark Pryor: northern colorado, graduating magna cum laude. she pursued her athlete career and continued roles in bible studies and youth groups. during this time, many of anthony and nicole's friends and family found guidance through the devotionals they sent regularly. today we continue to find encouragement and inspiration